Volvo pins hope on S60

At least that's what Volvo reckon.

Volvo Australia chief Alan Desselss insists the S60 sedan, which is released this week, and its equivalent wagon, the V60, due early next year, will sell 2000 units next year.

"We'll have three quarters of the year to go with V60, so we're looking at around 1500 sales of the S60," he says.

"BMW are doing close to 4000 of their 3 Series. Audi are doing 3000 of their A4, Mercedes Benz C-Class is just over 4000 and the Lexus IS 250 is quite substantial."

But while Desselss favourably compares the specification of the Swede's sleek new four door to that provided by these fixtures of the prestige market, he admits public perception will be the major problem.

"It's extremely important to us," he says. "This opens up a whole new segment for us. Traditionally we're known for SUVs and wagons. Sedan people won't even be aware of most of our lineup."

Aside from new shapes, there's also the matter of new names. Volvo's model nomenclature is no longer in aIl cases relevant to engine cylinders, rather power.

So the S60 that starts the lineup at $51,950 (around the point of the top versions of the much smaller and aging S40/V50 range) runs not the five cylinder turbo petrol engine its T5 name has indicated, but a new direct injection turbo four driven through the front wheels via a six speed twin clutch auto.

The $57,950 2.4-litre D5 diesel does have a five potter, and the T6 runs a 3.0-litre turbo petrol six. Both these gain all-wheel-drive.

Much is made of the available safety packages - which include adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection and full auto braking - though the full kit is an almost $5,000 optional extra.

But City Safety, which auto brakes to prevent collisions at less than 30km/h, is standard on all models. For the first drive of the S60 see The Sunday Telegraph this weekend or go to carsguide.com.au